Changes in Living Arrangement and Familial Support for the Elderly in Taiwan: 1963-1991

Abstract

Data from two cross sectional household surveys conducted in 1963 and 1991 in the city of Taipei arc used to study the effect of industrialization, urbanization and economic growth on intergencrational eo-residencc and family support for the elderly. Changes in attitude toward intergencrational living arrangement and financial support from children are also examined enabling the assessment of the strength of cultural factors in maintaining peoples attitude toward elderly support during a period of rapid economic change. Our results show that intergenerational co-residence has declined significantly. However, this does not necessarily jeopardize the welfare of the elderly as son’s increase income transfers to parents, compensating for non co-residence. The study also indicates that attitudinal change in respect of financial support has been much more drastic than that in respect to co-residence.